Introduction
Styling is a crucial part of web development.
While traditional CSS has been used for decades, Tailwind CSS is a modern utility-first framework gaining popularity among developers.
This guide by Diffcozen compares CSS and Tailwind CSS to help you choose the right approach for your projects.
Traditional CSS Overview
- Uses selectors, classes, and IDs to style elements
- Requires custom CSS files or pre-processors like SASS/LESS
- Provides full control over styling
- Can become complex in large projects
Tailwind CSS Overview
- Utility-first CSS framework
- Uses predefined classes for styling
- Encourages reusable components and rapid development
- Reduces the need for writing custom CSS
Key Differences
| Feature | CSS | Tailwind CSS |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Declarative styling | Utility-first styling |
| Learning Curve | Easy to start, complex for large apps | Moderate, requires memorizing classes |
| Customization | Full control | Tailwind is customizable via configuration |
| Project Size | Works for any size | Ideal for rapid development & scalable apps |
| File Size | Depends on project | Can be small using PurgeCSS |
| Speed of Development | Slower for large projects | Faster with ready-to-use classes |
When to Use Which
- CSS: Best for small projects, complete custom design, or legacy projects.
- Tailwind CSS: Ideal for large projects, rapid prototyping, and modern frontend frameworks like React, Next.js, or Vue.
Conclusion
Both CSS and Tailwind CSS have their strengths.
Choose CSS for full control and classic styling approaches.
Choose Tailwind CSS for faster development, reusable classes, and modern project structures.
At Diffcozen, we teach both CSS and Tailwind CSS to help developers make the best choice for their projects.